News
Diving milestone
Panama’s first PADI course director is Eddie Ibarra of Starfleet Scuba in Bocas
Eddie Ibarra is one of just 1,300 divers in the world who holds the highest level of certification. He is the first Panamanian and the youngest Central American to receive PADI Course Director status.
The diving is great all over Panama. From the Pearl Islands to Portobelo and all the way out to Bocas del Toro, there is so much to see and explore under the water that Panama has become very popular among divers. And a new milestone has been set in Panama’s diving segment: Edgardo Ibarra, diving operations manager at Starfleet Scuba in Bocas del Toro, has just become a PADI Course Director.
Eddie is now in the top echelon of the diving world. He is the first Panamanian ever to receive this certification and is one of 1,300 course directors in the world – of which only 20% are active – making this a notable achievement for diving and tourism in Panama.
He is one of the youngest PADI Course Directors in Central America, and his unique teaching style that is well-received by all ages of candidates. He brings fun and excitement into programs, while ensuring that professionalism and a serious attitude is always paramount. Eddie was also Panama’s first PADI Five Star Instructor.
What is a PADI course director?
PADI Course Directors are instructor trainers who conduct PADI Instructor Development Courses and other instructor-level training. They hold the highest and most respected professional rating in recreational scuba diving. They are among the dive industry’s most influential opinion leaders and role models. Those who join this elite group of professionals pass through a stringent screening process that examines their experience and training just to get into the competitive and demanding Course Director Training Course (CDTC).
Visit The Visitor at CAPAC Expo Habitat 2010 Stand #874
It is the largest real estate fair anywhere in Panama, Central America and the Caribbean. Some 35,000 people are expected to attend the event at ATLAPA Convention Center from September 15 to 19.
For more information, visit: www.capacexpo.com or call 265-2500.
Metromall and Multiplaza
Shopping Guide in The Visitor
It is our pleasure to announce that we have joined forces with Grupo Roble, builders and administrators of Multiplaza Pacific Mall and Metromall in Panama City, to bring you a new section in The Visitor. Beginning next week, look for all the latest in fashion, trends and special shopping offers in the Panama Shopping Guide, every week in The Visitor!
Now into perspective: the transport hub of the Americas
Focus Publications releases the first logistics sector publication
A new annual directory and yearbook, important for cargo and shipping in Panama, has just been published by Focus Publications (Int.), S.A, the parent company of The Visitor. It is called “Hub Logístico” and is the first publication in Panama to put the growing logistics sector into perspective as a vital industry on the way to making Panama the transportation hub for the American continent.
Mr. Israel Arguedas, Administrative Editor of the new publication said: “Having identified the need for this publication we investigated the sector and found that it is even bigger than we initially supposed.”
“Hub Logístico” offers a ready reference to owners and managers of businesses, all of whom constantly use logistic services. It is patterned to some extent on the Focus group’s successful catalogue/directory “FOB Zona Libre de Colón” with the vital difference that “FOB” is directed to foreign buyers, especially those visiting Panama, whereas the “Hub Logístico” user and readership base is threefold.
Firstly it will be distributed to businesses large and small throughout Panama City and the provinces. They will have a reference to services of the logistics industry and the companies that provide them.
Secondly it will provide a forum for the logistics sector which is a large and vital part of the service economy which makes Panama prosperous. Consequently the editorial content contains reviews and reports on many of the interesting aspects of the logistics “platform”. It includes news of international repercussions of the expansion of the Panama Canal and a look at other logistics centers such as Dubai and Suez. There is a comprehensive glossary of terms which reads almost like a graduate course in the cargo handling business.
Thirdly, the copies which are distributed abroad or which find their way to foreign destinations via visitors who receive a copy in hotel business centers or from Panamanian contacts or associates, will promote Panama and its logistic hub.
A number of key personalities in the logistics field sent enthusiastic endorsements for the new publication including Ing. Leopoldo Benedetti, General Manager of the Colón Free Zone; Roberto Linares Tribaldos, Administrator of the Panama Maritime Authority (AMP); Fernando Arango Morrice, President of the Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture of Panama; Yadira Almengor, President of the Panama Cargo Agents Association (APAC); Donald Elder, President of the American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM); and Gilberto Araúz Valdéz, President of the National Union of Customs Brokers (UNCAP).
In his endorsement, Ing. Leopoldo Benedetti said: “For over three decades, Focus Publications (Int.), S.A. has been involved in promoting the Colón Free Zone with its annual catalogue and directory “FOB Zona Libre de Colón”, a publication that the Administration has always distributed and used. This new directory “Hub Logístico” is a magazine directory with useful, appropriate and accurate information which all managers of businesses will want to keep close to hand.”
Government tower contracting gets 23 companies interested to bid
The government recently released images of the Financial Tower.
According to the daily El Siglo, representatives of 23 companies participated in the meeting for approval of the requirements for bidding on the conceptual design and drawings of the Financial Tower, the 333-meter building the government plans to build on Avenida Balboa at the site of the former US Embassy.
Polo’s bigger pony
Ralph Lauren has a new fragrance for men – four in fact. Importadora Maduro recently launched Ralph’s “Big Pony Collection”, four brightly colored bottles containing scents designed by four different “perfumistas”.
Big Pony Blue was created by Yves Cassar of IFF, a sporty fresh scent (lemon and grapefruit); Big Pony Red #2 was by Antoine Lie de Givaudan, especially for seduction (dark chocolate and musk); Big Pony Green #3 by Jean Marc Chaillan of IFF was made with the outdoors man in mind (mint and ginger) and Big Pony Orange #4 by Honorine Blanc of Firmenich, is for the modern urban man (mandarin and wood).
This collection of scents follows in the footsteps of the succesful of The Big Pony polo shirt, which upsized the traditional Polo to appeal to a young and sophisticated market.
Why launch four new perfumes instead of one? Polo teams are made up of four players. They are available at fine stores all over Panama.
Isthmian Update
Some of the news in Panama
Parlacen widens scope
At a meeting in Honduras, the Central American Parliament (Parlacen) recently extended its functions, ratifying the amendments of its founding treaty. Among the new powers, according to Jacinto Suarez, president of the regional forum, are: to propose legislation on regional integration and introduce regulations to harmonize laws that promote the advancement and strengthening of Central American integration. Previously Parlacen could only make recommendations and resolutions.
Free female sterilization
The daily La Estrella reported that the Committee on Women’s Affairs delivered to the National Assembly a draft law establishing the legal framework for female sterilization. If approved, the initiative, presented by Jose Blandon (Panameñista Party) and Crispiano Adames (PRD) enables older women to be sterilized for free if they so wish.
University corruption discovery
makes national headlines
The University of Panama (UP) is the focus of the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor over the illegal sale of cars and buses. According to the daily Panamá America, the workshop foreman, Henry Phillips, reported that a senior official of the UP ordered parts for a car of his own. The rector of the UP, Gustavo García de Paredes, announced the firing of Phillips and two other officials for the illegal sale of vehicles. The newspaper also reported that wives, sons and daughters, nephews, brothers and in-laws of the highest authorities of the UP were found to be on the payroll.
Biofuel uncertainty
The lack of a law that regulates the production of biofuels in Panama is causing a lack of investor interest in the activity. Hermann Gnaegi, director of International Cooperation of the Ministry of Agricultural Development (MIDA), said he knows that “there have already been approaches by several companies with the intention of settling up in Panama to participate in the production of ethanol, but up until now there is no law to cover such ventures.”
Toll booth embezzlement sentence upheld
Seventeen officials of the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) were convicted of embezzlement of toll collections on the Arraiján – La Chorrera expressway. The sentence was upheld by the Second Superior Court. The original decision was rendered on March 18, 2009 by the First Court of the Criminal Circuit of La Chorrera, by Judge Alina Hubiedo.
Canada FTA before Assembly
The law adopting the Free Trade Agreement between Canada and Panama was presented to the full National Assembly by the Minister of Commerce, Roberto Henriquez. Two other bills also were supported by Henriquez, which are the conventions concerning labor and environmental standards between the two countries.
New Water Resources
administrator
The full national assembly ratified Giovanni Arturo Lauri Carretié as the new administrator of the Water Resources Authority of Panama after his appointment by the Executive.
Gearing up for
Expo Logistica
Several issues are to be addressed this year by the Panama Logistics Expo 2010, an event that is being coordinated by the Chamber of Commerce, Industries and Agriculture of Panama and will be held on October 7 and 8. Albert White, chairman of the organizing committee, noted that “for this year we will try to discuss the potential of Panama and how we will leverage our business.”
Tourism numbers rise
The daily El Siglo reported that there was an increased flow of tourists during the first half of the year by about 7%, and revenues also increased for the Tourism Authority Panama (ATP). From January to June, the institution’s income was $27.5 million, a rise of $3.9 million in comparison with the same period last year when it was $23.6 million.
Exports up again
Panamanian exports will grow by about 10% by the end of 2010, according to the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC). The rebound is due to the global economic recovery, particularly the increase in demand for products from China and the US. In the first half of 2010 the value of exports fell, but they increased in volume.
Immigration officials
arrested
According to the daily La Prensa, a supervisor and an inspector of the National Immigration Service (SNM) were detained by units of the Judicial Investigation Department at the Tocumen International Airport. The officials were attempting to gain entry to the country for four Chinese citizens, according to the director of the SNM, María Cristina González.
Rains affect
crop production
Heavy rains throughout the country, especially in Veraguas and Chiriquí – as a result of the La Niña phenomenon – have caused losses in production of onions, vegetables, cucumber, rice and corn. Consumer prices could be impacted, said Virgilio Saldaña, president of the Association of Highland Producers
Venezuelans looking for oil
The Cabinet approved the Secretary of State Energy to direct hire a company that will explore for oil deposits in Panama for a total of $765,476,000. The company OTS was designated, which is an organization of workers and former employees of Petroleos de Venezuela SA, a specialist in oil data collection.
New US ambassador enters
with concern over corruption
According to the daily Panama America the new US ambassador in Panama, Phyllis Powers, warned that there is an increase in the “corrupting influence” of drug trafficking in this country. Powers said that U.S. shared the “concern” of Panamanians on the rise in crime, gangs, violence and drug trafficking.
Good second year for
Banco Panama
Banco Panama succeeded in closing its second year of operations with a profit of $1.1 million. Last year, the amount stood at $240,000. With a customer-focused strategy and a good capital base, the bank, which was recently rated “BBB.pa” by Equilibrium, reported $245 million in total assets against $149 million in its first fiscal year end in June.
Colombia FTA meeting
Ministers of Commerce of Colombia and Panama, Sergio Diaz-Granados and Roberto Henriquez, respectively, met in Panama City “to advance the FTA between the two countries”, reported official sources yesterday in Bogota. The two ministers, according to a statement from the Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism of Colombia, will advance “on the topics covered in the fourth round of FTA negotiations, which are scheduled between September 13 and 17 September.”
Panama Pacifico to host new Cable & Wireless data center
The Panama Pacifico Special Economic Area (AEEPP) at Howard, will host a new data storage center, the data center of Cable & Wireless Panamá. The construction and the installation of technology the telecommunications project is estimated at over $4.5 million, said Jose Quintero, Executive Director of C & W Technology.
Sea turtle meeting
The weekly shipping newspaper The Bulliten reported that the Aquatic Resources Authority of Panama (ARAP) welcomed over 15 delegates to the Seventh Meeting of the Scientific Committee of the Inter-American Convention for the Protection and Conservation of Sea Turtles (IAC) from September 1 to 3.
New ATP international plan
The daily La Prensa reported that after a year without an advertising presence in international markets, Panama is searching again to capture the attention of foreign tourists and there are some changes in strategy. The promotional campaign will focus on Internet users, mainly in social networks like Facebook, and step away from television commercials, one of its directions in the recent past.
New buses on the way
Next month the first five units of the proposed Metro Bus of the Volvo brand will arrive in Panama to start testing in the capital’s streets. The Mass Transit Panama consortium of the company Fanalca, will do the checks on the avenues Simón Bolívar (Transístmica), Ricardo J. Alfaro (Tumba Muerto) and also in areas considered prone to flooding.